Keelboat Lodge brings extra care housing to Hendon

A new extra care housing scheme for older people in the East End of Hendon has been named ‘Keelboat Lodge’, celebrating the history of the local area.

Councillor Graeme Miller, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing and Adult Services, attended the naming ceremony on Friday 5 December. Other representatives from the City Council, Housing & Care 21 and building contractor Tolent Ltd were also in attendance.

The name Keelboat Lodge was chosen in honour of local hero Jack Crawford, who was trained as a keelsman at a young age before serving in the Royal Navy on HMS Venerable. The name also maintains a close link with both the maritime and industrial history of the area.

The extra care housing programme in Sunderland is fast-growing, with Keelboat Lodge, valued at nearly £9m, becoming the sixth Housing & Care 21 scheme to be developed in the city. The development received a £1.19m grant from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The City Council is working closely with Housing & Care 21 and other housing associations to promote the rights of older people by providing both affordable and desirable housing options. Extra care schemes also provide people with independence, choice, social opportunities and a good quality of life.

At Keelboat Lodge, people will live in their own rented or purchased apartments. Purchase options are available through shared ownership at 25, 50 or 75% and rent is provided at affordable rates. A 24 hour on-site care service and assistive technologies such as emergency alarm call pendants enable people to enjoy their independence with the added security of care if or when needed. The support can include personal care or help with domestic tasks such as shopping, cleaning or ironing.

Keelboat Lodge will have communal facilities, including a hairdressing salon, lounge, activities room and restaurant, providing a space to socialise with friends and meet new people. There will also be landscaped gardens, a boules court, allotments and patio areas.

Cllr Miller said: "The East End of Sunderland has a very strong and caring local community that is very deserving of the investment that this scheme is bringing. This is an investment in the community, an investment in the bricks and mortar that this building brings, and an investment in caring.

"This is the second extra scheme to be developed in the Hendon and East End in the last year. The schemes have brought in nearly £15m of investment and, as with Seafarers Way at the Old Orphanage, these are schemes that are at the heart of our communities.

"Both these extra care schemes have impressive community facilities and I look forward to seeing this scheme open next year."

“We believe that everyone deserves a great quality of later life and by working with the council we can continue to provide high quality housing to help ensure this happens.”

Keelboat Lodge has been developed in partnership between Sunderland City Council, Housing & Care 21, the Homes and Communities Agency and Tolent Construction Ltd.

The housing scheme, on Hartley Street, is located within the Sunderland Heritage Quarter sitting alongside some of the city’s earliest surviving buildings including the Old Donnison School Museum, the Holy Trinity Church and the recently refurbished Old Orphanage.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 85 apartments and bungalows at Keelboat Lodge which will be complete for occupation in April 2015.

Other schemes due for completion in 2015 and 2016 include Dovecote Meadow in Ford and Gildacre Fields in Southwick.